The items found on this blog were written during the past few years and strictly reflect my own opinions. Because these articles deal with difficult issues they are bound to be controversial. They reflect my personal analysis based on the limited information that I have. I am certainly no expert and fully respect different opinions. Difficult issues would not be difficult if there were clear-cut answers. Although you will see in reading some of my material, I don't like being pigeonholed with a label, I will admit to being politically independent with a tendency to be more conservative fiscally and slightly more liberal with regard to social issues. Having lived through the 1940's, I have a great appreciation for the sacrifices made by our armed forces and, in fact, all Americans during World War II. The greatness of this country shone bright as we rehabilitated and rebuilt our enemies after winning that war. I am very patriotic and proud of our country. While we are far from perfect, we're not as far from that ideal as most other countries in the world.

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Stuart's Thoughts  10/2/2017

Be A Proud American -Post Addendum  


I made the mistake of posting the above on Facebook and have since removed it.  I did so because it created an inaccurate impression of my attitude about racism in the minds of some of those who read it.  Others fully agreed with the central idea of the main point I was trying to make.  Just to be as clear as I can be on the matter you should know that I truly abhor racism and discrimination of any kind.  I do truly believe in the “Golden Rule” and do my best to follow it.  At the same time, I truly love our nation and believe that, in spite of its many shortcomings, it deserves our full respect and support.


With regard to the NFL situation, in my view, it should be possible to deal with these two core beliefs in a way that maintains respect and attention to both.  In order to accomplish this it is simply my personal belief that it would be best to attend to these two matters separately.  By imposing one over the other, you necessarily demean one in favor of the other.  As one of our family members said to me - “I believe that everyone has the right to protest whatever they wish but they shouldn’t do it in a way that does harm to something else of great value.”  


I can understand how some don’t agree with the above for various reasons and I can accept and respect the differing views expressed. I can only reiterate that in my view and it’s my view only, not a fact, that the protest could have been more universally acceptable with a slight modification of timing.  For example, after giving full respect during the paying of the “National Anthem” the players wishing to express their concerns, i.e., protest, could have then knelt down and extended their arms above their heads with perhaps opening their hands to the sky.  They would still have been in full view of everyone making an unmistakable statement that everyone would want to know the intent of.  Something like this would have been just as effective but would not have left the negative impression that even the modest disruption of a most serious moment for many while the “National Anthem” was being played.  Finally, this is just my opinion, but I hope it can be understood and respected as I understand and respect the opposite viewpoint.


My next post, “An alarming surge in disrespect and hatred” will be somewhat related and I hope some of you will be interested enough to have a look.  I hope to get to it within the next few days.

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